Combination clothes and hair dryer



1964 H. L. STAINBROOK COMBINATION CLOTHES AND HAIR DRYER 4 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Feb. 17, 1961 NOW 1964 H. L. STAINBROOK 3,

COMBINATION CLOTHES AND HAIR DRYER Filed Feb. 17, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2n n n n n n h n n n 1 1 Nov. 17, 1964 H. STAINBROOK COMBINATION CLOTHESAND HAIR DRYER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 17. 1961 Nov. 17, 1964 H. L.STAINBROOK 3,157,475

COMBINATION CLOTHES AND HAIR DRYER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 17, 1961INVENTOR: fluaeerLSnwaeoox.

F g- 4 1 WQAJJM ATTORNEYS for the rotating tumbler:

United States Patent of California Filed Feb. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 90,0518 Claims. (Cl. 34-91) This invention relates to a dryer for householduse and is directed to the construction of a small portable highlyversatile dryer that not only functions as a clothes dryer but alsocarries out other drying taslcs including drying hair and drying na lpolish. This application is a continuation-in-part of my copendingapplication of the same title, Serial No. 736,058, filed May 19, 1958,now abandoned.

One problem is to make such a dryer small enough and light enough to belifted and carried easily by a woman. Another problem is to provide sucha dryer of pleasing appearance to be appropriate for use in apartments.

Another problem is to make such a dryer conveniently and quicklyadaptable for its various uses. lt shouldbe a simple matter to shiftfrom drying lingerie to drying hair and vice versa. It should be equallysimple for example, to switch from drying hair to drying nail polish.

A further problem is to make such an appliance relatively inexpensive.The problem is to simplify the construction of an appliance whichincludes a rotary orum or tumbler for clothes, a blower to create astream of drying air, means to heat the stream of air, a motor toactuate both the tumbler and the blower, and suitable provision fordirecting the heated stream of air for various drying operations outsideof the tumbler.

Since both Weight and cost are so important, the motor must berelatively small. Any speed reducing transmission that is used must besimple, inexpensive and light in weight. To permit the heated stream ofair to be supplied at a high rate for drying operations outs de of thetumbler, clutch means should be provided for disconnecting the tumblerfrom the motor so that the full power of the relatively light motor maybe applied to the air stream.

The invention meets all of these problems and requirements by a numberof features. Cost andweight are minimized by using a simple plastictumbler mounted on a light weight support structure of openconstruction. The periphery of the tumbler is placed in frictionalcontact with the drive shaft of the motor for the purpose of driving thetumbler so that the tumbler itself ecornes a part of the speed-reducingtransmission. The clutch means to disengage the tumbler from the motorconsists simply of means to lift the end of the tumbler out of operatingcontact with the drive shaft.

To make the appliance versatile and quickly convertible to its varioususes, the blower and its associated heater deliver the heated stream ofair to one end of a flexible hose. The second end of the flexible hoseis releasable from the tumbler and may be releasably connected to asuitable hair drying cap. 1

As will be made apparent, other features of the invention relate tovarious parts of the appliance. One feature is the simple constructionof a stationary input climber Another feature is a simple declutchingarrangement for lifting the tumbler away from the motor shaft. Anotherfeature is the construction of the bearings for journaling the oppositeends of the tumbler. A further feature is the manner in which thesupport structure provides storage space for the flexible hose as 7 wellas storage space for the hair drying cap.

' 7 he various features and advantages of the invention may beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description and theaccompanying drawings.

in the drawings, which are to be regarded as merely illustrative:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the presently preferred embodimentof the invention with portions broken away;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the structure associated withthe bearing for the rear end of the tumbler;

FIG. 3 is a similar view illustrating the procedure for assembling thebearing;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section of the bearing structure taken asindicated by the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragment of FIG. 1 showing the structureassociated with the second bearing that journals the front end of thetumbler;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line 66 ofFIG. 5;

PEG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of the clutch means foroperatively disconnecting the tumbler from the motor;

316. 8 is an elevation of the front end of the tumbler;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the manuallyoperable controls of the appliance;

FIG. 10 is a front end elevation of the appliance;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing how the appliance may be employedfor drying hair;

FIG. 12 is a perspective View of a second embodiment of the invention; a

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the same embodiment partly in sideelevation and partly in section; and

FIG. 14 is a transverse section taken as indicated by the line 14-14 ofPK}. 13.

The principal parts of the embodiment of the invention shown in thedrawings include: a support structure, generally designated as, of openconstruction in the form of a wire frame of box-like configurationmounted on a plastic base plate 61; a tumbler, generally designated 62,having a plurality of input apertures 64 in its front end wall 65 andhaving a plurality of exhaust apertures 66 in its rear end Wall 68;bearings 70 and 72 respectively journaling the opposite ends of thetumbler; a chamber member 74 having a cylindrical input port '75 andforming an input chamber 7s at the front end of the tumbler; a

blower 78 mounted on the support structure till; concealed heatingelements till (FIG. 10) incorporated in the blower; a motor $2 fordriving both the tumbler !52 and the blower; 73; and a clutch manuallyoperable by a knob 84 (FIGS. 7 and 9) for disconnecting thetumbler fromthe motor to permit the full power of the motor to be delivered to theblower; a flexible conduit in the form of a corrugated hose 35 fordelivering the stream-of heated air from the blower to the input port75, the hose being disengageable from the input port; and a cap 86 fordrying hair (FIG. ll) the cap being adapted for releasable connection tothe hose 35.

The tumbler 62 may be constructed in any suitable manner from anysuitable material. In this particular embodiment of the invention, thetumbler 62 is fabricated from linear polyethylene and is in the form ofa cylindrical drum with a peripheral opening orhand hole that isnormally closed by a hinged plastic lid 88. The plastic lid 83 seats inits closed position with a snap action and V is provided with anintegral finger piece 90 to facilitate manipulation of the lid. 1

The structure associated with the bearing 70 for the rear end of thetumbler 62 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

This structure includes a pair of spaced wire fingers 92 that are partof the support structure and are formed [with upturned ends 94. Thebearing 79 may be in the form of a relatively thickplastic plate havinga circular opening 95 to receive and journal a corresponding trunnion 96that isunited with the rear end wall 68 of the tumbler; Both the bearing70 and the trunnion 96 may be made of suitable plastic, for examplelinear polyethylene.

In the construction shown, the bearing 70 has an inner circumferentialrib 98 that engages a complementary outer circumferential groove 10%) ofthe trunnion 96. The plastic material of the bearing 70 issufiicientlyresilient to permit the bearing to be assembled to the trunnion bysimply forcing the bearing axially over the end of the trunnion. As bestshown in FIG. 4 the bearing 70 is formed with a spaced pair of shortvertical slots 192 to receive the two fingers 92 for support of thebearing. In the construction shown, the bearing 70 and the cooperatingtrunnion are both concealed by a plastic cap 104. The plastic cap 104 isapertured to permit the cap to be slidingly mounted on the two wirefingers 92. The rim of the cap abuts therear end wall 68 of the tumblerand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cap backs against the wire supportstructure 60.

The procedure of assembling the structure associated with the bearing 70is illustrated by FIG. 3. With the cap 104 slidingly mounted on thefingers 92 and with the bearing 70 removed from the fingers, the bearingis forced onto the trunnion 96 to the position shown. in FIG. 3. It isthen a simple matter to maneuver the tumbler 62 to carry the bearing 70on the trunnion into the interior of the cap into engagement with thewire fingers 92.

The structure associated with the second bearing 72 is shown in FIGS. 1,and 6. Here again the bearing 72 is in the form-of a thick plastic platewith a circular opening 106 to receive a corresponding trunnion 108 thatfixedly projects from the front end wall 65 of the tumbler .62. As shownin FIG. 6, the bearing 72 has a pair of spaced vertical slots 110. Thevertical slots 111 permit the bearing to be slidingly mounted on apairof relatively long straight parallel fingers 112 of the wire supportstructure 60. Here again the bearing member 72 has an innercircumferential rib 114'to seat in an outer'circumferential groove 115in the trunnion 108. a

The chamber member 74 that forms the input chamber 76. has a cylindricalwall 116 that slidingly abuts the front end wall 65 of the tumbler 62and has a forward transverse wall 118 that is suitably apertured topermit the chamber member to be slidingly mounted on the two springpressure backs the brace member 122 against the wire support structureand presses the chamber member 74 against the front end wall 65 of thetumbler 62. In reaction to the spring pressure the rear end wall 68 ofthe tumbler presses against the rim'of the cap 104. With all of therelatively movable contacting parts made of a smooth slick plastic suchas linear polyethylene the fricstraight fingers 112. The cylindricalwall of the previous- 1y mentioned input port 75 of the chamber membermerges tangentially with the cylindrical wall 116 of the cham-'ber'member and also merges tangentiallywith a cylindrical forwardlyextending flange 129 of. the chamber member. The purpose of thecylindrical flange 120 is to cooperate with a brace member 122 that isslidingly mounted on the two straight fingers 112, the brace memberbeing apertured to receive the two fingers.

. The brace member122 is formed with a circumferential cylindricalflange 124 that slidingly nests intol-the cylindrical flange 120 of thechamber member 74. Since v both the chamber member 74 and the bracemember 122.

are mounted on the tworfingers 112 in spaced relation it is apparentthat the telescoping'r'elationship between the braced member and thechamber member tends to stabilize'the, chamberv member and to 'maintainthe axis of the chamber member parallel with the two straight fingers112. It isto be noted that the chamber member 74 surrounds-the plurality'of intake apertures 64 inrthe front endrwall 65 of the tumbler'and alsosurroundstthe bearing 72 and the trunnion 96 that is journaled the'bearing. a t

Suitable means is provided toyieldingly urge thecham- I ber. member 74against-the end wall of the, tumbler 62 to minimize the leakage ofheated airaround the rim ofthe chamber member. .For this purpose a pairof coil springs tional resistance to rotation of the tumbler 62 isinsignificant.

The periphery of the front end of the tumbler 62 rests on a drive shaft126 of the motor 82 to cause the tumbler to be rotated by the motor.Thus the relatively large diameter of the'tumbler combined with thesmall diameter of the drive shaft provides a speed reducingtransmission. In the construction shown the periphery of the tumblerrests on an elastomer sleeve 128 that embraces the drive shaft andprovides the required traction for rotating the tumbler. The twovertical slots in the bearing 72 are located and dimensioned to permitthe front end of the tumbler to rest on-the elastomer sleeve is providedwith aligned grooves 134 to seat a clutch member in the form of a metalrod 135. The metal rod 135 rests in the two grooves in a freely slidablemaneuver. The metal rod 135 is of angular construction with a downwardly extending portion 136 that terminates in a handle portion 138.The handle portion 138 extends slidingly through an aperture in a panel149 and carries the previ- I ously mentioned operating knob 84.

The portion of the metal rod 135 that extends along the recess 132 ofthe cradle is offset to form an upwardly extending cam dwell 142.Normally the cam dwell 142 2 is at the solid line position shown in FIG;7 to avoid contact with the periphery of the tumbler 62. Whenever it isdesired to disconnect the tumbler from the motor 82 the clutch knob 84is shifted outward to the dotted position shown in FIG. 7 to shift thecam dwell 142 to the dotted position shown in FIG. 7. At this secondposition of the knob 84 the cam dwell 142 is moved into tangentialcontact with the periphery of the tumbler 62 to elevate the end of thetumbler to the position indicated by the broken line 144. The tumbler isthen out of driving contact with the drive shaft 126. 7

As indicated in FIG. 9 the panel may be a sheet metal member mounted onthe side of the wire support structure 66. In the construction shown thepanel is formed with an upper pair of rolled tongues 145 embracing a'wire 146 of the support structure and is formed with a similar pair oflower rolled tongues 148 which embrace a second wire 150. The panel 140serves as a control panel and for this purpose is not only equipped withthe clutch knob 84 but is also equipped with a toggle switch 152'and atimer having a pointer shaped operatingknob 154. V v a V The toggleswitch 152 controls the previously mentioned heating elements 89. Theytimer knob 154 is movable from an off position to selected positionsaround a circular scale 156 that is calibrated in terms of minutes ofoperation,- the maximum timing period being 60 minutes. The

timer also serves as a switch for controlling cn'ergization of the motor82. Themotor" is deenergized when the timer knob 154is in the on"position shown in FIG. -9. I When the'timer knob is rotated to aselected position on thescale 156 the motor is energized and remainsenergized as the timer knob returns slowly to its oflposition.

125 may be mounted on the two straight fingers 112'respectively 'withthe two springs in compression between the chambermemberam the bracemember 122. .The

The flexible conduit or hose85 may be a plastic hose of.-

a well-known construction which is formed with a spiral corrugation withthe turns of a spiral spring {not shown) embedded in the corrugations.For the purpose of releasably attaching one end of the hose 85 to theinput port 75 of the input chamber 7 6 the input port is formed with ataper as indicated at 158 in FIG. 1. As best shown in the lower leftportion of FiG. 1 the hose 85 has an end fitting 16% with a taper 162 tomatch the taper 158. This construction makes it possible to connect thehose 85 to the input port 75 by simply pushing the end fitting 16% intofrictional engagement with the intake port, the inserted end fittingbeing shown in phantom in the upper right hand portion of PEG. 1.

In the present embodirnent of the invention the flexible hose 85 is alsoadapted for releasable connection with the blower 78. For this purposethe blower 78 has a cylindrical outlet fitting 164 that is internallytapered in the same manner as the input port 75. The second end of theflexible hose is formed with a second end fitting 165 which is taperedto seat frictionally in the outlet fitting 164.

The cap 85 for drying hair may be dimensioned to enclose a head of hairin the manner shown in FIG. 11. In the present embodiment of theinvention the cap 86 has an inlet fitting 166 to receive a heated streamof air and the cap may be suitably apertured for exhaust or" themoisture-laden air. The inlet fitting 165 is internally tapered in thesame manner as the previously mentioned inlet port 75 to frictionallyreceive the previously mentioned end fitting 169 of the hose.

When the cap 86 is not in use it may be stored in a suitable receptacle168 (FIG. that is carried by the support structure 69 to one side of thetumbler 62. When the appliance is not in use, the hose 85 may be placedin a storage space in the support structure under the tumbler as shownin phantom in FIG. 1.

The manner in which the described appliance serves its purpose may bereadily understood from the foregoing description. To use the appliancefor drying lingerie, the clutch knob 84 is placed at its inner positionshown in FIG. 7 to permit the motor to rotate the tumbler. The lingerieis placed inside the tumbler and the lid 88 is closed. The flexible hose85 is installed in the position shown in phantom in FIGS. 1 and 10 withone end or the hose connected to the blower 78 and the other endconnected to the input chamber 76.

The toggle switch 152 is then turned to its on position if it is notalready in its on position. Since the toggle switch is in series withthe switch of the timer the heating elements 3% cannot be energizedunless the motor circuit is closed by the timer to actuate the blower78. The timer knob 154 is then turned to a point on the scale 156selected for an appropriate drying period. The rotation of the timerknob away from its off position closes the motor circuit andsimultaneously closes the circuit for energizing the heating elements 8%During the ensuing drying period both the tumbler 62 and the blower 7 8are actuated by the motor. The stream of air heated by the heatingelements 8% is conveyed by the flexible hose 35 to the input chamber 75adjacent the rotating end of the tumbler, The heated air passes from theinput chamber 75 through the input apertures as into the interior of thedrum of the tumbler and the moistureladen air is exhausted from therotating tumbler through the exhaust apertures 66. At the end of thepredetermined time period the timer knob 154 returns to its off positionwith consequent de-energization of both the motor 82 and the heatingelements 8%).

If it is desired to employ the flexible hose 85 as a nozzle fordirecting a stream of hot air for a drying purpose outside of thetumbler, for example for drying nail polish, the clutch knob 84 ispulled out from its retracted position to lift the tumbler 62 out ofcontact with the elastorner sleeve 128 to disconnect the tumbler fromthe motor. The end of the flexible hose 85 with the end fitting lot} isthen withdrawn from the input port 75 of the input chamber 76. The timerknob 154 is then adjusted for an. appropriate period of time. Theadjustment of the timer knob ener- 6 gizes both the blower and theheating elements to cause the heated air to be discharged from theflexible hose 85.

If it is desired to use the appliance for drying hair the clutch knob 84is pulled out to disconnectthe tumbler item the motor so that all of thepower of the motor may be applied to the blower. The cap '86is thenattached to' the second end of the hose and the cap is placed on theusers head in the manner indicated in FIG. 11. The timer is thenadjusted for an appropriate time interval with consequent energizationof both the motor and the heating elements.

The second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 12-14 has a frame10 which includes suitable upright supports or standards 11 and 12 andtie members 13 and 14. The upright standard 12 carries a transversesupport bracket 15 which, in turn, carries a rear end bearing 16.Journaled in the bearing '16 is a trunnion =17 that extends from therear end wall 18 of a rotary cylindrical tumbler or dry drum l9. Asuitable fixed chamber member 29 carried by the upright standard 12 hasa circumferential flange 21 with an abutment surface 22 in slidingcontact with the outer surface 23 of the rear end wall 18 of the tumbler'19.

Support brackets 24 mounted on the standard 11 carry a front end bearing25 for the tumbler 19. The bearing 25 has a vertically elongatedaperture 26 and a trunnion 27 fixed to the frontend wall 28 of thetumbler rotatably rests in the lower end of the elongated aperture.

A suitable chamber member 29 carried by the standard 11 has acircumferential flange 30 with an abutment surface 31 slidingly engagingthe outside surface '32 of th front end wall 28 of the tumbler 19. Ablower 33 mounted on the irame 10 has the usual blower fan 34.Incorporated in the blower are heating coils 35 to heat the air that isdischarged from the blower. A motor 36 has a drive shaft 37 one end ofwhich carries the blower fan 34. The second end of the drive shalt 37carries an elastomeric sleeve 38 which is in frictional contact with thep ripheral surface 39 of the tumbler 19 for the purpose of rotating thetumbler.

The heated air discharged from the blower 33 is conducted through aflem'ble hose 44. The flexible hose 40 has a suitable end fitting 41which is adapted to fit frictionaliy into an input port 42 of thechamber member 29. Heated air discharged from the space 43 in thechamber member 29 enters a first drying chamber 44 of the tumbler 19through input apertures 45 in the front end wall 28 of the tumbler. Theheated air passes from the first drying chamber 44 through a centralopening 46 of a tnansverse passage 47 into a second drying chamber 44.From't-he second drying chamber 44 of the tumbler, the moistureladen airflows through exhaust apertures 48 in the rear end wall 18 of thetumbler into the exhaust chamber 49 that is formed by the chamber member20. Finally the moisture-laden air is exhausted into the atmosphere.through the exhaust opening 50 of the chamber member 20.

A clutch means for disconnecting the tumbler from the motor comprises abent transverse rod 51 of the configuration indicated in FIG. 14. Asshown in FIG. 13, the rod 51 is rotatably mounted in bracket means 52 topermit the rod to be rot-atedlfrom a lower position shown in solid linesto an upper vertical position shown in broken lines. When the rod 51 isswung to the vertical position it raises the tumbler 19 from drivingcontact with the elastomeric sleeve 38.

The second embodiment of the invention includes the usual hair dryingcap 53 which may be releasably mounted on the flexible hose 4i). It isapparent that the second embodiment of invention functions insubstantially the a same manner as the first embodiment.

My description in specific detail of the selected embodiments of theinvention will suggest various changes, sub stitutions and otherdepartures from my disclosure within the spirit and scope of theappended claims. 7

I claim: 7 V t 1. A dryerfor householduse comprising: a supportstructure; a tumbler; said tumbler having an opening throughwhich'a-rticles to be placed within said tumbler may be passed; aclosure for said opening; exhaust air, outlet means for the tumbler; ablower carried by said support structme to create a stream of air; meansto heat the stream of air; a trunnion element fixedly mounted on one endof the tumbler; means to journal the other end of the tumbler on saidsupport structure; a bearing element to journalsaid trunnion element;means on said support structureslidably connected to said bearingelement to permit limited vertical movement of the bearing elementrelative .to the support structure; power means operatively connected tosaid blower for actuation thereof; a flexible conduit for connection atone of its ends to said blower to convey the heated air from the blower;means forming an air input port for said tumbler; means to connect thesecond end of the flexible'conduit to said input port whereby heated airis delivered interior-lyof said tumbler, said connecting means beingreleasable to permit the conduit to direct the heated air for a dryingoperation exteriorly of the .tumbler; rotary drive means actuated bysaid power means, said one end of the tumbler normally resting on therotary drive means for rotation of the tumbler by the power means; andmanually operable means to lift said one end of the .tumbler out ofcontact with said rotary drive means whereby the power means maybedisconnected from the tumbler to deliver all of its power to said blowerwhen the second end of thefiexible conduit is disconnected froni saidinput port.

2. A combination as set forth inclaim 1 in which said bearing elementha'sia pairof vertical slots lying respectively on opposite sides of itsaxis; and in which said support structure has two fingers slidablyengaging said slots to guide said one end of the tumbler vertically whensaid 7 left means is operated.

3. The combinationtas set forth in claim 1 in which said manuallyoperable lift means comprises a cam positioned under the tumblertransverselythereof; said cam having .*a lobe movabletangentially of thetumbler to lift the tumbler.

4. A dryer for household use comprising: a support structure; apower-actuated tumbler, one end ofthe tum:

bler having a plurality of air input apertures; said tumbler having anopening through which articles to be placed within'said tumbler may bepassed; a closure for said opening; exhaust air outletmeansfor thetumbler; 'a hearing to journal said one end of the ttunble'r, saidsupport structure supporting said bearing; means to journal the otherend of the tumbleron the support structure; an

open-sided chamber member having its open side against said one end ofthe tumbler in the region of said input apertures to form an input.chamber for the tumbler, said chamber member having an input port andbeing slidingly and non-rotatably mounted on said support structure inposition enclosing said plurality of input apertures and saidbearing;spring means .urging said chamber member ,iagainst said one end of thetumbler; a blower carried by said support structure't-o create a streamof air; means to heat the stream of air; a flexible conduit forconnection at one of its ends to said blower to convey the. heated air;and means -.to connect the second end'of the flexible conduit to'saidinput port, said connecting means being releasable t to permit theconduit to direct the heated air for a drying operation exteriorly the,tumbler; a 5. A dryer' 'for household use'comprising: a supporstructure; a tumbler, one end of the tumbler having a plurality of airinput apertures; an outlet means for exhausting'air from said tumbler;said tumbler having an opening through which articles to be placedwithin said tumbler may be passed; a closure for said opening; a bearingto journal said one end of the tumbler, said support structuresupporting said bearing; means to journal the other end 8 r of thetumbler on the support structure; an open-sided chamber member havingits open side against said one end of the tumbler in the region of saidinput apertures to form an input chamber for the tumbler, said chambermember having an input port and being slidingly and nonto the chambermember and having a continuous flange in sliding telescoped relationwith saidflange of the chamber member; spring means in compressionbetween sa1d brace member and said chamber member to urge the cham-. bermember against the tumbler; a blower carried by said support structureto create a stream of air; means to heat the stream of air; power meansto actuate both said tumbler and said blower; and a flexible conduit toconvey the heated stream of air from the blower to said input port ofthe chamber member. V I

6. A dryer for household use comprising: a support structure; a tumblerrotatably mounted on said support structure; said tumbler having anopening through which articles to be placed within said tumbler may bepassed; a closure for said opening; means forming a stationary air input.port for said tumbler; exhaust air outlet means for said tumbler; ablower carried by said support structure to create a stream of air;means to heat the stream of air; power means operatively connected tosaid blowerfor actuation thereof; a flexible conduit for connection atone of its ends to said blower to convey the heated air from the blower;means to connect the second end of the flexible conduit to said inputport whereby heated air is delivered I interiorly of said tumble-r; saidconnecting means being releasable to permit the conduit to direct theheated air for a drying operation exteriorly of said tumbler; meansineluding releasable clutch means to ioperat-ively connect said powermeans to said tumbler, said clutch means including rotary drive meansnormally engaging an outer circumferential portion of said tumbler forrotation of the tumbler thereby; and manually operable means to liftsaid circumferential portion of the tumbler out of contact with saidrotary drive means whereby the power means may be disconnected from thetumbler to delivery all of its power to said blower when the second endof the flexible conduit is disconnected trom said'inputport.

'7. The combination as set forth in the'clairn 6 in which said rotarydrive means comprises an annular elastomer member. t

8. The combination as set forth in claim 6 in which said manuallyoperable means comprises a cam positioned under the tumbler transverselythereof; said cam having a lobe movable tangentially of the tumbler tolift the tumbler.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,751,841 Pickens i Mar.'25, 1930 2,248,585 .Ross et a1. July 8, 19412,424,737 Broglie July 29, 1947 2,496,517 Bradley Feb. 7, 1950 2,497,224Laure -Feb. 14, 1950 r 2,597,215 Wright et a1. May 20, 1952 2,603,816McFarland July 22, 1952 2,711,194 Shields June 21, 1955 2,712,183Jo'rgenson July 5,- 1955 r 2,740,203 MacDonald Apr. 3, 1956 2,748,615Nistri June 5, 1956 2,818,659 Hague u Jan. 7,1958 7 2,827,276 Racheter jMar. 18, 1958 2,856,700 'Wales Oct. 2l, 1958 -3,008,351 Smith Nov. 14,1961 3,064,360 Sholin Novfzo,

1. A DRYER FOR HOUSEHOLD USE COMPRISING: A SUPPORT STRUCTURE; A TUMBLER;SAID TUMBLER HAVING AN OPENING THROUGH WHICH ARTICLES TO BE PLACEDWITHIN SAID TUMBLER MAY BE PASSED; A CLOSURE FOR SAID OPENING; EXHAUSTAIR, OUTLET MEANS FOR THE TUMBLER; A BLOWER CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORTSTRUCTURE TO CREATE A STREAM OF AIR; MEANS TO HEAT THE STREAM OF AIR; ATRUNNIUM ELEMENT FIXEDLY MOUNTED ON THE END OF THE TUMBLER; MEANS TOJOURNAL THE OTHER END OF THE TUMBLER ON SAID SUPPORT STRUCTURE; ABEARING ELEMENT TO JOURNAL SAID TRUNNION ELEMENT; MEANS ON SAID SUPPORTSTRUCTURE SLIDABLY CONNECTED TO SAID BEARING ELEMENT TO PERMIT LIMITEDVERTICAL MOVEMENT OF THE BEARING ELEMENT RELATIVE TO THE SUPPORTSTRUCTURE; POWER MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID BLOWER FORACTUATION THEREOF; A FLEXIBLE CONDUIT FOR CONNECTION AT ONE OF ITS ENDSTO SAID BLOWER TO CONVEY THE HEATED AIR FROM THE BLOWER; MEANS FORMINGAN AIR INPUT PORT FOR SAID TUMBLER; MEANS TO CONNECT THE SECOND END OFTHE FLEXIBLE CONDUIT TO SAID INPUT PORT WHEREBY HEATED AIR IS DELIVEREDINTERIORLY OF SAID TUMBLER, SAID CONNECTING MEANS BENG RELEASABLE TOPERMIT THE CONDUIT TO DIRECT THE HEATED AIR FOR A DRYING OPERATIONEXTERIORLY OF THE TUMBLER; ROTARY DRIVE MEANS ACTUATED BY SAID POWERMEANS, SAID ONE END OF THE TUMBLER NORMALLY RESTING ON THE ROTARY DRIVEMEANS FOR ROTATION OF THE TUMBLER BY THE POWER MEANS; AND MANUALLYOPERABLE MEANS TO LIFT SAID ONE END OF THE TUMBLER OUT OF CONTACT WITHSAID ROTARY DRIVE MEANS WHEREBY THE POWER MEANS MAY BE DISCONNECTED FROMTHE TUMBLER UT OF CONTACT WITH SAID ROTARY DRIVE MEANS WHEREBY THE POWERMEANS MAY BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE TUMBLER TO DELIVER ALL OF ITS POWERTO SAID BLOWER WHEN THE SECOND END OF THE FLEXIBLE CONDUIT ISDISCONNECTED FROM SAID INPUT PORT.